A Haven on Orchard Lane
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4.7 • 11 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Much-Loved Lawana Blackwell Delivers Another Charming Victorian-Era Tale
In difficult circumstances, Charlotte Ward, once a famed stage actress, tries to restart her career--only to experience disaster. Against her better judgment, her estranged daughter, Rosalind, comes to her mother's rescue and moves her to a quiet English coastal village.
Charlotte is grateful to get to know Rosalind after years apart. As one who has regrets about her own romantic past, it's a joy for Charlotte to see love blossom for her daughter. For Rosalind, however, it's time away from teaching--and now she must care for the mother who wasn't there for her. And what could be more complicated than romance?
Together, mother and daughter discover that healing is best accomplished when they focus less on themselves and more on the needs of others.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Charlotte Ward, a once-famous actress of the Victorian era, is given an opportunity to return to the London stage and escape a sequestered life with her manipulative husband, Lord Fosberry. But instead of giving a triumphant performance, Charlotte ends up in the hospital after succumbing to a fit of nerves. Rosalind Kent, Charlotte's estranged daughter, offers to take care of her mother after a friend persuades her to let bygones be bygones. Charlotte agrees and they rent a cottage in Port Stilwell, hoping to avoid intrusive tabloid reporters and the clutches of Lord Fosberry. The two main characters are given little to do as they lay low, but the secondary characters are intriguing: Jude Pearce, a bookstore owner, is mourning the death of his grandfather and recovering from the departure of the woman he loves; Danny and Albert Fletcher are rambunctious brothers looking to get away from their hostile stepmother; and Mrs. Deamer, Charlotte and Rosalind's housekeeper, has been forced into a life of service. The novel is unevenly paced and struggles to convey the complexities of Charlotte and Rosalind's fraught circumstances. Despite this, Blackwell (The Widow of Larkspur Inn) deals well with abandonment and forgiveness.
Customer Reviews
A wonderful historical story about second chances.
There is a marvelous cast of well-developed characters in this story. There are a number of different personalities included that cover just about all that you will find in any community you visit. They are easy to recognize and either relate to or hate depending on your own personal taste.
There are a number of individuals that are hoping to have a second chance of one kind or another. For some of them it is finding someone to love. For some it is in trying to better their station in life through hard work. For a few they are trying to improve family relationships. I really enjoyed seeing this recurring theme for these great characters.
One of the aspects that really caught my attention was that Jude Pearce owns the only bookstore in little Port Stilwell. Many of the scenes throughout the book took place in his shop and discussed the books that were available for sale in 1880 England. I actually went online and looked a number of them up and each one I checked was accurately presented. Being a complete bookworm I was fascinated by the titles mentioned.
I received a free eBook copy of this novel through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Lovely, Christian novel!
A Haven on Orchard Lane is the latest novel by Lawana Blackwell. Charlotte Ward was an actress until she married Roger Fosberry, Viscount of Spilsby. Charlotte is desperate to escape his clutches. Roger is not a kind man and his housekeeper is more like a jailer. Charlotte receives an invitation to come back to the Lyceum Theater from Mr. Henry Irving (it took some work to get the letter to her). With a little help, Charlotte escapes one night and heads to London. Charlotte steps out onto the stage and collapses. Charlotte needs rest and a safe place to hide from the press. Rosalind is Charlotte’s daughter from her second marriage (Roger was her third husband). Rosalind was raised by Aunt Vesta and is now a teacher in Cheltenham. Rosalind reluctantly heads to London. Rosalind collects Charlotte and takes her to Port Stilwell to recover. They rent a house (well, they thought they were getting a whole house) and Rosalind gets Charlotte settled. Rosalind is hoping she will be able to return to her teaching post soon. These two have a complicated relationship, but maybe this is there chance for them to get to know each other and mend fences (everyone deserves forgiveness and a second chance). Rosalind soon finds a friend (and maybe more) in Jude Pearce, the local bookseller. Rosalind and Charlotte find friends in this quaint town and have a chance to help others (like Danny and Albert Fletcher). But then someone tries to destroy the life they have built. If you want to know more, you will have to read A Haven on Orchard Lane!
I fell in love with Lawana Blackwell’s novels many, many years ago. I was tickled to see a new book by Ms. Blackwell. A Haven on Orchard Lane is a lovely, historical novel with a Christian theme (forgiveness, helping others, trusting in God, second chances). The writing is very good, but the pace is a little slow (I also felt the novel was also a wee bit too long). I liked the characters (they are complex and well developed as well as realistic) and the writer did a great job with describing the locations (London, Fosberry Hall, Port Stilwell, and the bookshop) as well as the historical content. I give A Haven on Orchard Lane 4 out of 5 stars. I thought the book was a little flat, but overall a nice book to read on a relaxing afternoon. A Haven on Orchard Lane is a nice escape book. A book without violence, foul language, and intimate relations. I will definitely read future books by Lawana Blackwell (I have actually read all her published books).
I received a complimentary copy of A Haven on Orchard Lane in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.